Pathology of fungal infections of the central nervous system: 17 years' experience from Southern India

Abstract

Environmental factors in tropical countries such as India play a significant role in the pathogenesis of CNS fungal infections.

Fatal mycotic aneurysm caused by Pseudallescheria boydii after near drowning

“…A particular tropism for the cerebral vessels is typical of aspergillosis of the central nervous system [23]; aspergilli produce elastases and digest the elastic fibers of the artery facilitating the hyphal growth and compromising the integrity of the wall with aneurysm formation and eventual rupture [24,25]. Hyphae can also proliferate into the lumen determining obstruction and ischemia downstream [26].…”

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis: Pathology revisited with emphasis on perineural spread

“…[3] DM was identified as the most common risk factor for rhinocerebral mucormycosis in earlier studies from India as well as in the present study. [3,7,14,15] After inhalation of the spores, the infection spreads rapidly into the adjacent tissues. It extends into cavernous sinus, orbit, and cranium.…”

Massive Cerebral Blastomycoma from a Nonendemic Region Diagnosed on Squash Smear Cytology

“…Blastomyces infection, with special reference to CNS involvement, is extremely rare in the Indian subcontinent, and only sporadic cases have been reported. [5][6][7] When no primary focus of infection has been demonstrated, a solitary blastomycoma can be clinically confused with a tumor nodule in the brain. 4 Squash smear cytology can be a useful diagnostic tool in such cases.…”